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Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-114
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 23, 1962 (News Conference 39). The President begins the press conference by announcing that part of the conference is being broadcast across the Atlantic Ocean by the Telstar communications satellite. He then states the importance of the satellite to provide fast communication, resulting in peace and security for all people. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including a possible peace treaty between the Soviet Union and East Germany (Democratic Republic), nuclear testing by the Soviet Union, tax cut hearings, the domestic economy, foreign affairs, Martin Luther King, Jr. and segregation, strike increases, and the appointment of General Lyman Lemnitzer as Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in Europe.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-112
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 5, 1962 (News Conference 38). The President begins the press conference by stating his support for two bills, one concerning foreign aid, and the second concerning medical care for the elderly. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Atlantic Alliance, current and future relations with the Soviet Union, the Sugar Act, a meeting between Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the domestic economy, and the Chamizal Zone in El Paso, Texas.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-081
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 21, 1962 (News Conference 28). The President begins the press conference with an announcement concerning the reply he received from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to his letter regarding on United States-Soviet cooperation in outer space exploration. Following this announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including disarmament discussions in Geneva, the United Nations bond issue proposal, Guantanamo Bay, and demonstrations by United States military reservists.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-145-002
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks to members of the First Armored Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In his speech President Kennedy commends his audience for their past military service, specifically noting their recent efforts related to Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-144
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of November 20, 1962 (News Conference 45). The President begins the press conference with an update on the Cuban Missile Crisis, stating that Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev would withdraw IL-28 bomber planes in Cuba within 30 days and that the naval quarantine of Cuba was lifted as a result of the withdrawal. The President then announces the signing of Executive Order 11063, which prevented discrimination in housing facilities owned or operated by the federal government, and the creation of the Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. The President also announces advances in northeast India by the Chinese, and the deployment of a team headed by Assistant Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman to determine India’s military assistance needs. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including Cuba, information policies between the press and the government, Executive Order 11063, and the current situation between India and China.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-143-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television statement on the dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba. In his speech President Kennedy indicates that the missile bases are in the dismantlement process, and explains that the naval quarantine on Cuba will remain in effect until the situation is resolved.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-142-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address to the nation regarding the former Soviet Union’s military presence in Cuba. In his speech President Kennedy reports the establishment of offensive missile sites presumably intended to launch a nuclear offensive against Western nations. The President characterizes the transformation of Cuba into an important strategic base as an explicit threat to American security, and explains seven components to his proposed course of action: quarantine all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba, increase the degree of surveillance, regard a possible attack launched from Cuba as a Soviet attack, reinforce the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, call for a meeting of the Organ of Consultation, call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, and demand that Premier Nikita Khrushchev cease his current course of action. In his speech the President famously states, “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right- not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this Hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world.”
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-126
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of September 13, 1962 (News Conference 43). The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the recent shipments of supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union, events that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He goes on to say that the United States would not take military action against Cuba unless necessary. The President then answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Alliance for Progress, civil rights, the Chicago Northwestern Railway strike, the military space program, nuclear testing, and the President’s request for special reserve mobilization powers.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-125-010
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at the Launch Operations Center (later known as the Kennedy Space Center) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the United States’ recent progress in space exploration and its relation to the country’s interactions with the former Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-124
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 29, 1962 (News Conference 42). The President begins the press conference by announcing the retirement of Associate Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter for health reasons and the appointment of Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg to fill the vacancy. He also announces that the Soviet representative in Geneva has proposed a cut-off date of January 1, 1963 for all nuclear weapons testing. The President agrees with the proposed date and urges all affected governments to accelerate negotiations in order to meet the goal. The President then answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including nuclear test agreements, Berlin, the influx of supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union, and a scientific investigation into the side effects of pesticides, particularly DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-122
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 22, 1962 (News Conference 41). The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the historic rendezvous under the Arctic ice pack between two nuclear powered submarines, the USS Skate and the USS Sea Dragon. He then states the importance of five measures Congress was to act upon within the next seven days: the farm bill that extends the current feed grain program an additional year and repealed the 1958 Benson feed grain approach; the drug bill; a constitutional amendment to outlaw the poll tax in federal elections; the trade expansion bill; and the United Nations (UN) bond bill. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including domestic and foreign affairs, the space program, the economy, the delay in the approval of Thurgood Marshall to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and an increase in supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-041
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of June 28, 1961 (News Conference 13). President Kennedy begins the press conference with a statement concerning the death of journalist Ed Koterba, followed by lengthy statements concerning the situation in Berlin and the Soviets’ refusal to negotiate on a nuclear test ban at Geneva. He then responds to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s statement that the Soviet Union would out produce the United States by 1970. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Berlin, the rate of economic growth in the United States, and foreign policymaking for Latin America.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-037
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s speech addressed to the American people from his office in the White House. In his speech the President summarizes his trip to Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; and London, England. The President affirms the strong alliance between European nations and the United States as an assurance of mutual security. He then reports on his meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev regarding nuclear weapons proliferation, the current situation in Laos, and relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-036-005
Sound recording of an interview of President John F. Kennedy by a correspondent from the British Broadcasting Company. In his remarks the President discusses his meeting with Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister of Great Britain, and his recent meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna, Austria. The recording contains some background noise.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-009
Sound recording of the President's News Conference of February 8, 1961 (News Conference 3). President Kennedy begins the press conference by announcing the upcoming visit of Canadian Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker to the United States. This announcement is followed by a brief discussion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the announcement that a Child Health Center has been established within the Public Health Service Center to deal with the special health problems of children. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including recent reports of a study concerning the missile gap between the United States and the Soviet Union; school desegregation in New Orleans, Louisiana; the future of United States-Soviet relations; and Cuba.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-004
Sound recording of the President's News Conference of January 25, 1961 (News Conference 1). President Kennedy begins the press conference with a statement concerning the scheduling of the Geneva negotiations for a nuclear test ban. He then announces that the United States Government has decided to increase famine relief for the Congo and that the Soviet Union has released two members from the crew of the United States Air Force RB-47 aircraft. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including United States policy on nuclear disarmament negotiations, diplomatic relations with Cuba, and communications with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-178
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of April 24, 1963 (News Conference 54). The President begins the press conference by announcing that he would meet with Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts on May 10 and 11. He goes on to say that Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman will travel to Moscow to meet with Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko to discuss the situation in Laos. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the tax cut, Laos, the nuclear test ban treaty, the number of Soviet personnel and troops in Cuba, Scientist John Rock’s recommendation of Government-funded population growth programs, civil rights, and the space program.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-167
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 6, 1963 (News Conference 51). The President begins the press conference urging Congress to support three new bills: the Youth Employment Opportunities bill; a medical bill that provided funding for medical schools and students; and a bill to combat mental illness and retardation. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including proposed tax cut legislation; the nuclear test ban treaty; progress of Soviet troop withdrawal from Cuba; the Chamizal zone in El Paso, Texas; and the employment status of the four Americans who died during the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-154
Sound recording of the second part of President John F. Kennedy’s edited radio and television interview entitled “After Two Years: A Conversation with the President” broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the interview President Kennedy discusses America’s conflict with the Soviet Union, the spread of communism, and nuclear weapons proliferation. The interview includes remarks from journalists Bill Lawrence of ABC, George H. Herman of CBS, and Sander Vancour of NBC. Part one of the interview begins with JFKWHA-153.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-151
Sound recording of the second part of President John F. Kennedy’s unedited radio and television interview entitled “After Two Years: A Conversation with the President” broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the interview President Kennedy discusses America’s conflict with the Soviet Union, the spread of communism, nuclear weapons proliferation, efforts to improve international communication, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Berlin and Cuba. The interview was recorded on December 16, 1962, and broadcast on December 17, 1962. Part one of the interview begins with JFKWHA-150 and part three continues with JFKWHA-152.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-150
Sound recording of the first part of President John F. Kennedy’s unedited radio and television interview entitled “After Two Years: A Conversation with the President” broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the interview President Kennedy discusses the state of the American economy, his relationships with his advisers, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Cuba and the Soviet Union. The interview includes remarks from journalists Bill Lawrence of ABC, George H. Herman of CBS, and Sander Vancour of NBC. The interview was recorded on December 16, 1962, and broadcast on December 17, 1962. Parts two and three of the interview continue with JFKWHA-151 and JFKWHA-152, respectively.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-145-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at Boca Chica Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida upon presenting unit awards to Navy Light Photographic Squadron 62 and Marine Light Photographic Squadron VMC-J2 for outstanding reconnaissance work concerning Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-145-003
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida upon presenting unit awards for outstanding reconnaissance work concerning Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-076-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address, “Nuclear Testing and Disarmament.” In his speech President Kennedy announces and explains his decision to resume nuclear testing as a matter of national security, noting that true security can only be achieved in mutual disarmament with effective inspection, and that tests might be cancelled by the signing of a satisfactory treaty with the Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-074
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 21, 1962 (News Conference 25).The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the successful orbiting of the earth by astronaut Colonel John Glenn in which he discusses the historical impact of the Colonel’s achievement, expressed his gratitude for congratulatory messages received from foreign heads of states, and pays tribute to those foreign governments whose cooperation allowed for the successful operation of the Mercury program tracking network. He then discusses a message he had received from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in which the Premier suggested that it could be beneficial to the advancement of science if the Soviet Union and the United States cooperated in outer space exploration. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the possibility of United States-Soviet space cooperation, the situation in Berlin, nuclear testing, and the urban affairs proposal.